An argument:
premises______
conclusion
An explanation:
hypothesis(auxiliary assumptions)
_______________
fact to be explained
A defense:
blocks an argument; blocks an inference from premises to conclusion.
A theodicy is a purported explanation.
A defense of theism in the face of evil would, in contrast,
block the argument that takes as a premise evil and reasons to the
impossibility of God as traditionally conceived. It would thus seek
to show only the compatibility of God and evil, not why
there is evil, assuming a loving God.
An atheistic argument:
(1) If there is natural evil, then either (a) God is not omnipotent (could not have prevented it), or (b) God is malevolent.
(2) There is natural evil
_________
(3) Therefore, either (a) or (b) as above.
(4) If either (a) or (b), either (c) God does not exist, or (d) God is not worthy of worship.
(5) Therefore, either God does not exist or (at the least) God is not worthy of worship.
A defense:
(10) It could be that (f) all the "natural" evil is the result of Satan or other moral agents.
(11) If (f), then there is no natural evil.
(12) Therefore, so long as (f) is not ruled out, it is possible that there is no natural God (and that God exists and is is worthy of worship).
Exercise: Construct an atheistic cosmological
argument.
Know these
terms:
Do the ends (ever, always) justify the means?